Canada
Ontario
Hamilton: The Nash Road assembly appreciated and was encouraged by the six nights of gospel meetings December 4-9 by Eugene Higgins on the theme “Christmas Carols from Around the World.” A nice number gathered nightly to hear the gospel faithfully and clearly presented.
Orillia: Brian Owen preached the gospel via Zoom for the Dominion assembly on December 11.
Prince Edward Island
Charlottetown: The assembly purposed gospel meetings with Eugene Higgins to commence on January 11.
Summerside: The Pope Road assembly resumed their Zoom/YouTube Bible readings 7-8:30pm on January 7, continuing every other Saturday until March 18, with Scott MacLeod, John Meekin and Brody Thibodeau opening and local brethren participating. The topic is “Christ in All the Scriptures.” For more information, please visit https://poperoadgospelhall.ca/2023-winter-bible-studies/.
U.S.A.
Arizona
Phoenix: The Orangewood assembly continues their series of short Saturday night devotionals via Zoom on the “Person and Work of Our Lord Jesus Christ” to help believers prepare for worship on the Lord’s Day. Brethren taking part to date include David Petterson (December 10) and Gaius Goff (December 17).
Florida
Tampa: The North Tampa assembly held nightly gospel services January 2-12 with Duncan Beckett and Harry Rodríguez in English and in Spanish.
Iowa
Hitesville: The gospel meetings with Brandon Doll and Brody Thibodeau that began November 13 closed on December 16, with some blessing in salvation. Frank Sona helped Brandon in the final week when Brody had to return home.
Stout: The assembly is planning a gospel series at the hall with Joel Portman and Frank Sona to commence Sunday, March 5, D.V. Prayer is valued over the course of the winter for the mind and will of the Lord in this effort, and an invitation is extended to all.
Massachusetts
Saugus: In December, Brody Thibodeau visited the assembly for a Lord’s Day, giving ministry on the miracles of the Lord as recorded in the Gospel of John.
The annual Christmas program was held on December 11, and the assembly was pleased with the community response to the invitations. Some women from the rehab center also attended and a good number joined the livestream. Calendars, gospel tracts and gift packs were distributed. Local brother Michael Procopio gave a fitting and informative message in the gospel. Many remained for refreshments despite the inclement weather. The assembly trusts that the Lord will bless the Word spoken and the kindness shown to the visitors.
Mark and Lori Procopio returned for a brief visit. Mark gave a report of the work in Brazil and the progress of the orphanage. Prayer is requested on behalf of this effort, specifically for the approval by the authorities for occupancy of the orphanage.
New Jersey
Barrington: The assembly will be having a two-week series of gospel meetings beginning February 5. Paul Barnhardt will be helped the first week by John Nesbitt and the second week by local brother J.R. Andujar. Prayer is appreciated.
Pennsauken: Local brother Don Draper gave a Christmas-themed message to a gathering of neighborhood contacts during a brunch at one of the believers’ homes on December 7. Gene Higgins preached the gospel December 11-16 on the theme of Christmas Carols. Paul Barnhardt spoke the gospel at a Christmas-themed Sunday School treat on December 18.
New York
Belfast: The saints were encouraged by a visit from Dan Shutt in November, and by positive responses received from a Gospel of Peace calendar mailing to the residents of a local town.
Northern Ireland
Year-end conferences were held in Kilkeel and Buckna on December 27 and in Belfast on December 28. On December 31, ministry meetings with D. Gilliland were held in the Harryville assembly, and in Sandringham (near Carrickfergus) with J. Rogers and M. Radcliffe. These meetings were well attended, and the ministry was both encouraging and challenging as the Word of God was ministered to the Lord’s people.
Co. Armagh
Drumnacanver: The gospel meetings with J. Rogers and local brother M. Campbell that started September 4 went for six weeks. Quite a few unsaved attended, and the assembly was encouraged with blessing in salvation.
Bleary: The assembly enjoyed the gospel series with E. Fairfield and M. Radcliffe last November, with good support from neighboring assemblies. News of salvation brought encouragement.
Co. Londonderry
Limavady: The gospel meetings with T. Armstrong (Derriaghy) and E. Fairfield in the hall last September went for four weeks. The meetings were well attended.
Coleraine: Last October, J. Black and W. Fenton (Ballintoy) had a series of gospel meetings in the hall. Despite the poor local response, the assembly was encouraged by the gospel being preached and the evidence of blessing.
Co. Tyrone
Strabane: With support from neighbouring assemblies, A. Steele used the Strabane Gospel hall for gospel meetings last November. Pray for blessing on the good seed sown.
Co. Down
Bangor: The Ebenezer assembly had a gospel series with L. Craig and P. McCauley that commenced on October 2 in a local primary school. Quite a few local people attended, and news of the Lord’s blessing in salvation gave encouragement and cheer.
Crossgar: The assembly erected a portable hall on a vacant lot near the centre of the village, where A. McKee (Newtownards) and local brother J. Palmer held several weeks of gospel meetings from late October into November, with blessing seen in salvation.
Lisburn: S. Gilfillan and D. Gilliland were with the Plantation assembly for a gospel series last November.
Banbridge: The assembly had well-attended gospel meetings last November with R. Kirkpatrick and D. Strahan.
Co. Antrim
Ballymena: In late October, the Cambridge Avenue assembly rented a large vacant storefront in the centre of town to host a gospel series. T. Armstrong (Derriaghy) and J. Rogers preached faithfully and many heard the gospel.
Glengormley: The assembly commenced gospel meetings at the end of last September with J. Fleck and S. Gilfillan. It was a time of blessing and many unsaved attended.
Ballywatermoy: The assembly was encouraged with the gospel series that commenced this past September 4 with N. Fleck and S. Wells. There was good attendance, including some from the local area, and the Lord blessed in salvation.
Belfast
Whitehouse: The assembly had use of a local primary school and held gospel meetings for four weeks from mid-November into December with W. Martin and J. Rogers.
Conferences
Matoaca, VA
March 4-5, with prayer meeting on Friday, March 3, at 7:30pm in the Matoaca Gospel Hall, 6204 River Road. First meeting on Saturday is at 10:30am. For information, contact John Nobles, Tel: 804-265-5455; Email: jnobles6@aol.com.
Conferences Previously Published:
DeLand, FL – February 3-5
Jackson, MI – February 17-19
Bicester, UK – February 23-26
Bicester, UK – April 9-10
Homecalls
William (Bill) Odorizzi of North Bay, ON, on Friday, April 15, 2022, after a brief illness. He was 95 years old and was predeceased by his wife Ivy (1928-2020). He was the much-loved father of Aaron Odorizzi and Amanda (Derrick) Wilband, and cherished grandfather of Sara, all of North Bay. Bill spent his years living and working in the Port Loring area and was part of the Arnstein, ON, assembly. After retiring, he and his family moved to North Bay and fellowshipped with the saints at Nipissing Junction. Mike Trahan spoke a clear message in the gospel at the funeral.
Edith Emma Stewart of Amherst, NS, on November 21, 2022, age 92. At age 20, after hearing the gospel from a fellow nursing student, she joyfully received Christ as her Savior through John 1:29. Her marriage to Floyd Stewart was the beginning of a gospel-focused life. With their six children, they made 26 Spring Street their home, and a home for many. The truth of Christ was welcomed in the hearts of not a few who crammed into the basement to hear the life-changing news of a God who loved them and sent His Son to save them. Predeceased by her husband Floyd (1987) and son Stephen (1978), she will be sorely missed by her children Rebecca (Leland) Swan, Lorna (Theodore) Chiasson, Joy (Peter) Ramsay, Sylvia (Peter) Pitts and Neil (Margaret); 16 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren. Her homecall is felt by the believers in the Amherst assembly. Family, friends and neighbors filled the funeral chapel to pay their respects to a godly saint who left Christ-like impressions on her family and the community. The gospel was tenderly spoken to the many attendees, including many who watched via the livestream.
Cecil Earle of L’Anse au Loup, Labrador, on November 29, 2022, age 92. He was saved in the early days of the gospel work on the Labrador coast when George Campbell stayed in his parents’ home and the gospel was preached each night through the cold winter months. Cecil was the Sunday School superintendent for many years in the L’Anse au Loup assembly where many children attended. Over the years he often preached the gospel and gave ministry to the local assembly. Cecil attended all the meetings of the assembly up until the last couple of months before his passing. Gilbert Linstead gave a tribute, brethren Francis and Eddie Barney spoke at the funeral in the gospel hall, and Edward Dredge spoke at the grave. Prayer is appreciated for family and friends who are not saved.
Sadie Noble of Kitchener, ON, on November 29, 2022, age 96. She was born on August 31, 1926, in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, and was born again on October 31, 1943, while attending Scotch Quarter Gospel Hall, Carrickfergus. Sadie was commended to full-time missionary service by the Scotch Quarter assembly in 1947. She and her husband Jack served the Lord in St. Kitts and nearby Antigua until 1972, when they returned to the UK. They subsequently moved to Canada in 1976. Jack was called home in December 1989. Sadie continued to take an active interest in the local assemblies in Guelph and Kitchener and in all aspects of missionary work. Despite advancing years and declining health, Sadie continued to be a remarkable encouragement and help to many. Andrew Ussher and Philip McKinley spoke during her funeral, along with contributions by family and friends. She will be sadly missed.
Vivian (Betty) Beth Logue, née Macfarlane, of Vancouver, BC (originally), at home on Saturday evening, December 3, 2022, age 93. Betty and her husband Sam were part of the Carleton assembly in Vancouver from its inception until they moved to the Hilltop Manor retirement home beside the Langley, BC, assembly. After the passing of Sam, Betty lived with her daughter Brinda in Michigan. She is survived by her children Brinda (Jeff) Oswalt, Raymond, Tanya (Kim) Boucher, Larry (Christina) and Lisa Cant; eleven grandchildren; one great-grandchild and another on the way. Betty was predeceased by her beloved husband Samuel Logue and her infant grandchild Isabella. Her greatest desire in her last days on earth was to be with the Lord. “Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2Co 5:8).
Margaret (Peg) Bradshaw of Hatboro, PA, on December 13, 2022, age 98. She was born on October 2, 1924, and was saved at the age of 12 during a Sunday School lesson taught by Louis Montalvo. Peg came into the fellowship in Hatboro at the age of 14 and continued steadfastly there for over 84 years. She was married for over 59 years to Tom Bradshaw, who entered into heaven in 2010. Peg leaves behind three sons, Paul (Carol), Donald (Jody) and Bruce (Janet); eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Her cheerful countenance and many letters sent to those scattered abroad will be greatly missed. The gospel was preached at her funeral by Eugene Higgins, and a word was spoken at the graveside by Jim Coleman.
